Ever since I entered the Human Resources (HR) profession, even in graduate school, there has been dialogue around what HR needs to do in order to get a seat at the table. This dialogue seems to have picked up even more steam in recent years and much of the growth in HR research has been focused on finding a way for HR to get that seat at the table through proving its legitimacy and its value. My view is that HR should, instead of trying to fit in or get a seat at an existing table, focus on agenda setting.

Everyone exaggerates their accomplishments on their résumé, right? You say, “Executive Assistant,” when you really mean “Assistant to the Executive Assistant.” You say you were involved with a project that increased profits, improved worker productivity and reduced injuries, when you mean you were accidentally invited to a meeting where the project was discussed. You say you got a university degree that you did not. The last one happened recently in a big way…